Spiral conductor cover

ABSTRACT

An improved electrical conductor cover is provided which is operable to be positioned in enclosing relationship to portions of highly energized conductors in order to protect linemen or other working in the vicinity thereof. The cover is fabricated from an elongated, continuous sheet of electrically insulative synthetic plastic material and is shaped to present a generally spiral cross section with inner and outer spirals of substantially equal length. Both the inner and outer spirals are configured to telescopically engage and interconnect with a complementary adjacent conductor cover or other piece of cover-up equipment such as insulator covers of varying types, without the need of separate connection structures. By virtue of the fact that the inner spiral extends the entire length of the cover and interconnects with a similar member of another conductor cover or other piece of cover-up equipment, a conductor received therein is completely encased in an insulative sleeve of plastic material without gaps along the length thereof, and consequently the cover is capable of effectively insulating conductors energized to very high levels.

United States Patent [191 West [ SPIRAL CONDUCTOR COVER Edward L. West,Sturgeon, Mo.

[73] Assignee: A. B. Chance Company, Centralia,

[22] Filed: June 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 370,860

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 174/5 R, 174/139 [51] Int. Cl. H02g 1/02, HOlb 17/00 [58]Field of Search 174/5 R, 135, 136, 138 F,

Primary Examiner-Laramie E. Askin Attorney, Agent, or FirmSchmidt,Johnson, Hovey & Williams [111 3,835,238 [451 Sept. 10, 1974 [5 7]ABSTRACT An improved electrical conductor cover is provided which isoperable to be positioned in enclosing relationship to portions ofhighly energized conductors in order to protect linemen or other workingin the vicinity thereof. The cover is fabricated from an elongated,continuous sheet of electrically insulative synthetic plastic materialand is shaped to present a generally spiral cross section with inner andouter spirals of substantially equal length. Both the inner and outerspirals are configured to telescopically engage and interconnect with acomplementary adjacent conductor cover or other piece of cover-upequipment such as insulator covers of varying types, without the need ofseparate connection structures. By virtue of the fact that the innerspiral extends the entire length of the cover and interconnects with asimilar member of another conductor cover or other piece of cover-upequipment, a conductor received therein is completely encased in aninsulative sleeve of plastic material without gaps along the lengththereof, and consequently the cover is capable of effectively insulatingconductors energized to very high levels.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEPI DISH sum 1 or 2 win 1 SPIRALCONDUCTOR COVER This invention relates to a device for protectinglinemen or others from accidental contact with energized electricalconductors when working in proximity thereto. More particularly, it isconcerned with a protective device of the type known generally in theart as a spiral conductor cover wherein an improved cover is providedwhich is adapted to fully enclose an energized conductor in insulatingrelationship thereto without the need of separate connection meansjoining adjacent covers.

As can be appreciated, lineman and others are often required to worklive lines at elevated heights either on electrical poles and towers orin buckets of aerial devices where they are in close proximity to theenergized electrical conductors. In such situations a hazard is pro-'duced by the proximity of the energized lines which prevents thelinemen from working with their usual freedom of movement and speed,because of the constant fear of receiving shocks or burns as a result ofaccidental contact with the energized lines. Hence, in order topermitsafe, more efficient working conditions in such areas, the energizedconductors must be temporarily insulated, preferably by a quicklyinstallable, removable protective device.

One type of protective device heretofore employed in this context isknown as a spiral conductor cover. Such covers are formed fromrelatively thin insulative materials suchas synthetic plastics and areshaped to present a generally spiral cross section. The innermost spiralof such covers is configured to partially wrap about an elongatedconductor to suspend the entire de vice thereabout, with a spaced, outerspiral circumscribing the conductor to provide additional insulation.The convolution of the inner spiral portion is configured to provide anelongated space at least equal to the diameter of the conductor in orderto provide a passageway for the latter for use during installation ofthe device. An extension normally attached to a relatively narrow,elongated tab or lip projecting from the outermost spiral portionfacilitates manual positioning or placement of the cover about theconductor in order to introduce the latter into the inner passageway andinto protected orientation within the concave face of the innermostspiral. This is normally accomplished by placing the cover on theconductor followed by shifting the cover about the conductor until thelatter is properly disposed within the innermost spiral.

Since it is often necessary to insulate a relatively long section of anenergized conductor, at least a pair of spiral covers are conventionallyadapted to be interconnected by means of separate connection structuressuch as insulative collars or the like. Moreover, in order that theconductors be capable of covering portions of electrical lines supportedby pin-type insulators, the inner and outer spirals adjacent the ends ofthe cover have normally had to be trimmed away in order to permit themto be slipped over such pin insulators in covering relationship thereto.

ln practice, the spiral conductor covers described have been deficientin several important respects, par ticularly when it is attempted toemploy the latter as a protective device above highly energizedconductors.

First, since the insulative qualitites of the cover result from thenature of the sheet material employed, as well as the spacings betweenadjacent spirals, it can be seen that the common expedient of providingtrimmed portions or gaps at the ends of the conductor covers seriouslyimpairs the ability of the latter to effectively insulate highlyenergized power lines. This diminished insulative capacity isparticularly pronounced at the points of interconnection betweenadjacent covers, and the covers are therefore most likely to fail atthese areas; furthermore, during the normal performance of their duties,workmen will often be in close proximity to these points of greatestdanger. Additionally, because of the separate connection structurenormally employed, the prior art covers are expensive to buy and timeconsuming to install and remove from the conductors.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a spiral conductor cover ofcontinuous, one-piece construction which is capable of insulating highlyenergized conductors, and can be quickly and easily interconnected withadjacent covers without impairing the insulative function thereof.

SUMMARY Accordingly, it has been found that the aforementioned problemsand difficulties can be overcome by providing an elongated spiralconductor cover with a series of continuous spiral convolutionsproviding the requisite degree of insulation. The cover is fabricatedfrom an elongated, continuous sheet of relatively thin, electricallyinsulative material and is shaped to present a generally spiral-likecross section with a series of connected, arcuate, spiral-likeconvolutions each spaced from the adjacent convolution a distance atleast equal to the diameter of the conductor to be covered.Additionally, at least one end of the innermost convolution thereof isconfigured to telescopically receive and interengage with acomplementally configured end of a like member of an adjacent protectivedevice. The outer spirals thereof are preferably of a length equal tothat of the inner spiral, and are likewise complementally dimensionedand arranged to interengage with an adjacent cover to provide africtional, snap-fit connection therebetween. In this manner, thecentrally disposed conductor within the confines of separate, connectedspiral covers is completely encased by an insulative jacket without anygaps along the length thereof as was common in the constructions of theprior art.

In other preferred embodiments the cover has a single inner and outerspiral, with the former being radially enlarged at one end thereof forthe purpose outlined above. Additionally, the outer spiral is flared atthe end thereof adjacent the radially enlarged end of the inner spiralto present a female connection portion adapted to telescopically receivea complementally dimensioned male end of an outer spiral of an adjacentprotective device to effect a snap-fit interconnection therebetween. Theremaining distal ends of the respective sprials are also configured tointerconnect with another protective device, such that each cover isprovided with a male and female connection end on the respective spiralsthereof. in the manner described, this allows a plurality of separatecovers to be axially interconnected to provide a continuous insulatedshield of any desired length along an energized conductor.

In still further preferred embodiments, an elongated, relatively narrow,generally radially extending tab portion is provided along the length ofthe cover adjacent the terminal end of the outer spiral, and aninsulated,

depending extension or handle means is attached thereto to facilitateinstallation of the device about an energized conductor. The tab portionis preferably integral with the outer spiral and is formed by foldingback the extreme end thereof upon itself, thereby forming a portionhaving a thickness double that of the remainder of the device.

Complementary cover members are also provided for use in protectingsegments of conductor proximal to supporting insulators or the like. Insuch instances a separate insulative synthetic resinousmember isemployed to cover the insulator and a short stretch of conductorextending from both sides thereof. The distal ends of such members arecomplementally configured to mate with the spiral conductor covers ofthe present invention in order to form a continuous, effectiveprotective hi dla gn the ent r sn th an energized line.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a spiral conductor cover inaccordance with the present invention with a flared female connectionportion provided on the leftmost end thereof with a male connectionportion on the distal end;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view show-.

ing a pair of connector covers in-accordance with the inventioninterconnected together;

7 FIG. 5 is an elevational view partly in vertical section showing apair of opposed conductor-covers interconnected by means of acomplementally configured insulative housing covering a conventional pininsulator assembly;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of a generally T- shaped insulatorcoverparticularly adapted to cover;

and protect a post-type insulator; and

FIG. 7 is side elevational view partially in vertical section showingthe T-shaped cover of FIG 6 operatively disposed over a post-typeinsulator with the male ends of separate spiral conductor coversreceived within the distal female connection ends of the insula torcover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A spiral conductor cover in accordance with thein-.

vention is shown in FIG. I and is generally referred to by the numeral10. It is composed of a continuous sheet of relatively thin,electrically insulative synthetic plastic material and has a flaredfemale connection end'12' on one end thereof and a male connection end14 on the remaining end, the configuration of these ends being importantfor purposes to be made clear hereinafter. Additionally, alongitudinally extending, integral tab portion 16 extends generallyradially away from the cover body and has an insulated, dependingextension or handle 18 connected thereto.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the continuous sheet is shaped to present agenerally spiral-like cross section and has an innermost spiral 20 withan outermost spiral 22 of substantially equal length connected theretoby generally planar segment 26. The spirals 20 and 22 are space c lapart a distance. at least equal to the diameter of a conductor to beinsulated,therebyproviding an arcuate passageway 23 therebetween tofacilitate installation of the protective device. Additionally, anelongated entryway 24 is provided between the terminal edge of outerspiral 22 and the portion thereof connected to segment 26 with theentryway 24 being adapted to admit a conductor into passageway 23.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the greatest portion of inner spiral 20 is ofsubstantially equal radial dimension to define an elongated-generallysemicylindrical member 21. A relatively short segment 28 of enlargedradial dimensions is integrally connected to member 21 through arcuate,angularly disposed shoulder 25. In this fashion inner spiral 20 isdefined by two generally semicylindrical, longitudinally aligned,integral portions of differing radial dimensions.

Outer spiral 22 has an elongated midportion 27 of continuous, generallytubular shape. An integral, axially aligned flared female connection end12 is provided on the right-hand end of midportion 27 as shown in'FIG.3. This comprises a series of three integrally interconnected,longitudinally aligned and communicating frustoconical sections 29, 31and 33. Section 29 defines the extreme right-hand portion of cover 10with the widest diameter thereof forming a leading edge opening into theinterior of the cover. Sections 31 and 33 are connected at theirrespective circular edges of greatest diameter and cooperatively serveto interconnect' section 29 with midportion 27. Moreover, sections 31and 33 present an annular, radially enlarged, inwardly facing,recess-defining portion 32 spaced inwardly from the extreme edge ofcover 10 which is important for purposes to be made clear hereinafter.Portion 32 is defined by integral, generally annular sloping sidewalls34 and 36 which are interconnected to form a circular apex 38 ofenlarged radial dimensions with respect to midportion 27.

At the distal end of midportion 27, a male connection end 14 isprovided. This comprises a series of two longitudinally aligned,integrally connected frustoconical sections 35 and 37. Section 35 ispositioned at the extreme left-hand end of cover 10 as depicted in FIG.3 and is disposed such that the circular edge thereof of least diameterdefines the extreme leading edge of the cover. Section 37 is positionedinwardly from section 35 and serves to interconnect the latter withmidportion 27. In this regard, sections 35 and 37 are interconnectedalong their respective edge of greatest diameter, thereby presenting anannular, radially expanded collar 40 definedby generally annular,sloping sidewalls 42 and 44.

As further depicted in FIG. 2, the enlarged, generally semicircularsegment 28 of spiral 20 is adjacent the above-described femaleconnection end 12 of outer spiral 22'. Similarly the male connection end14 of the latter is adjacent the end of elongated member 21 removed fromsegment 28.

The use of the conductor covers of the present invention can be readilyexplained with reference to FIG. 4. In this instance an elongated,energized conductor 46 is covered by a pair of identically configured,connected spiral conductor covers 10a and 10b. By virtue of thegenerally semicylindrical, radially enlarged segment 28a of inner spiral20a, it is possible to telescopically interengage the latter with theextreme end of rel atively unenlarged portion 21b. In this fashion, adouble thickness of insulative material surrounds con c I uctor 46 atthe point of interconnection of the two covers 100 and b. Moreover,because of the fact that both the inner and outer spirals of each coverare substantially equal in length, there are no gaps or cutaway portionswhich serve to lessen the insulative efficiency of the unit. It shouldalso be pointed out that the amount of overlap is very important in someinstances as the insulative efficiency of such a junction could be lessthan that of the sheet material should the amount of overlap be below 'agiven critical value. Therefore, in order to guard against such aneventuality, the amount of overlap is generally greater than thatrequired simply for a secure mechanical interconnection between thecovers.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the extreme end of unenlargedspiral portion 21b into the enlarged segment 28a, the latter isangularly cut as at 48 so that the leading edge thereof does notinterfere with the abovedescribed telescopic insertion. Further, tabportions 16a and 16b are trimmed from the respective ends 12a and 14b ofthe separate covers in order to prevent interference therebetween duringthe interconnection of the covers. As depicted in FIG. 4, the respectivetabs are preferably cut back to an extent such that interferencetherebetween is precluded.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the female connection end 12a of cover 10atelescopically receives male connection end 14b to provide a secure,frictional connection between the structurally distinct covers 10a and10b. In this regard, the annular, upstanding collar 40b extends into theinterior of cover 10a beyond the first frustoconical segment 29a intomating alignment with the annular recess-defining portion 32a of femaleconnection end 12a, the latter cooperatively formed by a pair ofcommunicating frustoconical segments and as described. Hence, thefrustoconical segments 35b and 37b of male end 14b are thus receivedwithin the cone spondingly configured frustoconical segments of femaleend 12a. As can be appreciated, this provides a desirable snap-fitbetween the adjacent covers 10 so that a secure connection is maintainedtherebetween without the necessity of employing separate externalconnection collars or the like.

In preferred embodiments, the adjacent inner and outer spirals of thecover 10 are configured as described and arranged such that reception ofthe unenlarged portion 21b of inner spiral b within radially enlargedportion 28a and the interlocking of collar 40b with recess-definingportion 32a can be simultaneously accomplished. In practice, this iseffected by first positioning the unconnected covers 10a and 10badjacent one another on line 46 with the respective male and female endsthereof in proximal, aligned relationship. The separate covers aresubsequently moved together in an axial direction to complete thealigned, snap-fit connection shown in FIG. 4.

When it is desired to install a cover 10 in insulative relationship toan elongated conductor, the following procedure is employed. The workerfirst positions cover 10 so that entryway 24 of the latter is proximalto the conductor to be covered. Cover 10 is then positioned by means ofthe elongated, insulated handle 18 by shifting the conductor along thearcuate path 23 defined by adjacent, spaced spirals. Such positioning iscontinued until the conductor seats within the concave face of theinnermost spiral at a position shown by the numeral 50 (see FIG. 2).When this is accomplished,

has been found to give the generally semicylindrical inner spiral 20 isin partial covering or wrapping relationship to the generally centrallydisposed conductor, with the remainder of the device being suspendedthereabout in spaced relationship therefrom. In this manner, two spacedlayers of insulative material substantially circumscribe the conductorto insulate the latter, with the air between the two layers providingadditional insulative effect.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outwardlyextending, elongated, generally radial tab portion 16 integral withouter spiral 22 is formed by folding back a portion of the extreme edgeof the continuous sheet upon itself, thereby presenting a tab of doublethickness along the length of cover 10. In conventional prior art spiralconductors, a separate phenolic strip or other insulative material hasnormally been connected to such a tab member in order to provide therequisite strength.

When it is desired to protect a conductor segment supported by a pininsulator or the like, the following especially good results. By virtueof the fact that it has now been found advantageous to provide conductorcovers which arenot trimmed at the ends thereof, it is necessary toemploy accessory means to cover the conductor segments proximal to thepin insulator supports. In order to accomplish this, a separate housingis provided that is adapted to interconnect with a pair of opposed,longitudinally aligned conductor covers disposed adjacent the insulatoron the conductor.

As shown in FIG. 5, a conductor 46 has a segment 52 thereof which issupported by a conventional pin-type insulator 54 by means of line ties56. Positioned in covering relationship to segment 52 and insulator 54is housing 58 which is composed of relatively thin insulative material,and preferably of material identical to that used for the conductorcovers 10 of the present invention. Housing 58 is generally arch-shapedin cross section and is dimensioned to cover the abovedescribedapparatus in a spaced relationship therefrom. The distal ends of housing58 are of constricted radial dimension as shown at 60, and areconfigured to interlock with collars 40 of the respective conductorcovers 10 to provide a snap-fit connection therebetween without thenecessity for separate connection.

In installation procedures, the separate conductor covers 10 are firstinstalled on line 46 and with their respective male connection portionsadjacent insulator 54. Housing 58 is then snapped over the ends 14 andinto locking interengagement with the respective collars 40 thereof toprovide the requisite insulation along the entire length of theconductor.

In a similar manner, a stretch of conductor supported by a conventionalpost-type insulator 72 can be protected (see FIGS. 6 and 7). For thispurpose a unitary, generally T-shaped cover 74 composed of flexiblesynthetic resinous insulative material is employed in conjunction with apair of spaced, axially aligned spiral conductor covers 10 of the classdescribed.

In particular, cover 74 includes a hollow depending segment 76 and ahollow transversely extending crosssegment 78 communicating therewith.The distal ends 80 of cross-segment 78 are configured to present afemale connection end for the reception of male ends 14 of the spiralcovers 10. As can be seen from a study .of FIG. 7, the respective femaleends 80 are similar to female ends 12 of the spiral covers 10 describedpreviously in that they are adapted to receive the male ends 14 ofseparate covers 10 and provide a frictional, snapfit connectiontherebetween.

Unitary cover 74 is defined by separate abutting flexible sections 82and 84 (FIG. 6) which are connected along the top of cross-segment 78 toform a continuous member. During installation procedures,the cover 74 ispreferably handled bymeans of conventional hot line tools and is firstpositioned above the insulator in proximal relationship thereto. Thecover is then pushed downwardly which in turn causes the respectiveidentical sections 82 and 84 to move relatively outwardly to open thecover and facilitate operative placement thereof. When the cover ispositioned about insulator 72, the sections 82 and 84 are again in theproximal abutting relationship shown in FIG. 6 to effect the insulativeprotection required. For this purpose each of the sections 82 and 84 isprovided with apertures 86 in the depending segment 76 thereof tofacilitate adjustment of cover 74 into its final operative position bymeans of hot line tools. Following placementof cover 74, separatespiralcovers 10 can be moved along line 70 in order that the male ends 14thereof achieve a snap-fit connection within respective femaleconnection ends 80.

Theinsulative function of cover 74 is further enhanced by provision ofexpanded portionstherein serving to increase the spacing betweenenergized line 70 and the cover itself. For example, cover 74 isprovided with a dome-shaped expansion 86 along the top of cross-segment78 in conjunction with separate, generally rectangular expansions 87 ineach section 82 and 84 along the length of segment 78. Additionally, anelongated expansion 88 is provided in sections 82 and 84 along thelength of depending segment 76 for a similar purpose.

It is to be understood that cover 74 can be employed in situations wherethe post-type insulator is vertically or horizontally aligned,orangularly disposed with respect to the supporting utility pole. With ahorizontal or angularly disposed insulator, it is generally necessary toemploy spiral covers 10 which have the tab portions 16 trimmed back fromtheir male ends 14 as depicted to preclude interference between the tabsand female connection ends 80 of cover 74. When cover 74 is uti-. lizedon a vertically mounted post insulator, however, such difficulties arenot encountered because the leading portions of tabs 16 of the separatecovers 10 can be inserted within the respective spaces 90 provided alongthe bottom of female connection ends 80 and defined by theproximalabutting edges of movable sections 82.

and 84.

Having thus dscribed the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A removable protective device for use in insulating an elongated,energized conductor and comprising:

an elongated, continuous sheet of relatively thin electricallyinsulative material shaped to present a spiral-like cross section with aseries of connected, arcuate, spiral-like convolutions each spaced froman adjacent convolution a distance at least equal to the diameter ofsaid conductor to provide an arcuate passageway for the conductor duringinstallation of the device, the latter including:

LII

an arcuate outer wall portion of configuration to substantiallycircumscribe the section of said conductor to be received therein, andan arcuate inner wall portion having an inner concave face'dimensionedto at least-partially wrap about the conductor to provide insulation forthe latter and to suspend the devicefrom the conductor, said inner wallportion being spaced from the outer, longitudinallyextending edge of theouter wall a distance to provide a conductor entryway communicating withsaid conductor passageway, the opposed ends of said inner and outer wallportions being shaped to present respective male and female connectionends respectively for complemental interfitting of at least a pair ofsaid devices in aligned end-to-end relationship with the male ends ofeach device being telescopically received in adjacent female ends of theproximal device, said inner wall portion including smooth generallysemicylindrical segments on the opposed male and female ends thereof,the semicylindrical segment of said female end being complemental withand of greater radial dimensions than the corresponding semicylindricalsegment on said male end,

said outer wall portion including generally frustoconicalshoulder-defining segments on the opposed male and female ends thereof,the shoulderdefining segment of said female end being complemental withand of greater radial dimensions than the correspondingshoulder-defining segment on said male end.

2. The protective device of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of saidradially enlarged'end of said inner wall portion is angularly cut tofacilitate insertion therewithinof the male end of an adjacentprotective device.

3. The protective device of claim 1 wherein the generally frustoconicalshoulder-defining segment on the female end of said outer wall portioncomprises:

a first frustoconical section disposed at the extreme end of the devicewith the generally circular edge thereof of greatest diameter definingthe leading edge of said female end;

a second frustoconical section communicating with said first section,said first and second sections being interconnected along the respectivegenerally circular edges thereof of least diameter; and

a third frustoconical section communicating with said second section andconnecting the latter to the remainder of said outer wall portion, saidsecond and third sections being connected along the respective generallycircular edges thereof of greatest diameter, whereby, the second andthird frustoconical sections cooperatively define an annular, radiallyenlarged, inwardly facing, recess defining portion spaced inwardly fromthe leading edge of the female end.

4. The protective device of claim 3 wherein the generally frustoconicalshoulder-defining segment on the male end of said outer wall portioncomprises:

a fourth frustoconical section positioned at the extreme male end of thedevice with the generally circular edge thereof of least diameterdefining the leading edge of said male end; and

a fifth frustoconical section communicating with said fourth section andinterconnecting the latter with the remainder of said outer wallportion, said radially expanded collar with the apex thereof spacedinwardly from the leading edge of said male end.

1. A removable protective device for use in insulating an elongated,energized conductor and comprising: an elongated, continuous sheet ofrelatively thin electrically insulative material shaped to present aspiral-like cross section with a series of connected, arcuate,spiral-like convolutions each spaced from an adjacent convolution adistance at least equal to the diameter of said conductor to provide anarcuate passageway for the conductor during installation of the device,the latter including: an arcuate outer wall portion of configuration tosubstantially circumscribe the section of said conductor to be receivedtherein, and an arcuate inner wall portion having an inner concave facedimensioned to at least partially wrap about the conductor to provideinsulation for the latter and to suspend the device from the conductor,said inner wall portion being spaced from the outer, longitudinallyextending edge of the outer wall a distance to provide a conductorentryway communicating with said conductor passageway, the opposed endsof said inner and outer wall portions being shaped to present respectivemale and female connection ends respectively for complementalinterfitting of at least a pair of said devices in aligned end-to-endrelationship with the male ends of each device being telescopicallyreceived in adjacent female ends of the proximal device, said inner wallportion including smooth generally semicylindrical segments on theopposed male and female ends thereof, the semicylindrical segment ofsaid female end being complemental with and of greater radial dimensionsthan the corresponding semicylindrical segment on said male end, saidouter wall portion including generally frustoconical shoulder-definingsegments on the opposed male and female ends thereof, theshoulder-defining segment of said female end being complemental with andof greater radial dimensions than the corresponding shoulder-definingsegment on said male end.
 2. The protective device of claim 1 whereinthe leading edge of said radially enlarged end of said inner wallportion is angularly cut to facilitate insertion therewithin of the maleend of an adjacent protective device.
 3. The protective device of claim1 wherein the generally frustoconical shoulder-defining segment on thefemale end of said outer wall portion comprises: a first frustoconicalsection disposed at the extreme end of the device with the generallycircular edge thereof of greatest diameter defining the leading edge ofsaid female end; a second frustoconical section communicating with saidfirst section, said first aNd second sections being interconnected alongthe respective generally circular edges thereof of least diameter; and athird frustoconical section communicating with said second section andconnecting the latter to the remainder of said outer wall portion, saidsecond and third sections being connected along the respective generallycircular edges thereof of greatest diameter, whereby, the second andthird frustoconical sections cooperatively define an annular, radiallyenlarged, inwardly facing, recess defining portion spaced inwardly fromthe leading edge of the female end.
 4. The protective device of claim 3wherein the generally frustoconical shoulder-defining segment on themale end of said outer wall portion comprises: a fourth frustoconicalsection positioned at the extreme male end of the device with thegenerally circular edge thereof of least diameter defining the leadingedge of said male end; and a fifth frustoconical section communicatingwith said fourth section and interconnecting the latter with theremainder of said outer wall portion, said fourth and fifth sectionsbeing connected along the respective generally circular edges thereof ofgreatest diameter, whereby, the fourth and fifth frustoconical sectionscooperatively define an annular, radially expanded collar with the apexthereof spaced inwardly from the leading edge of said male end.